1. Duration

1. Each match will start at 1.00pm unless otherwise indicated by the League. Tea, taken between innings, will last 20 minutes. At the discretion of the umpires, tea may be taken during any stoppage for rain.
2. Matches will normally comprise 100 overs. The side batting first shall receive not more than 53 overs. Subject to rule c) below the side batting second shall receive the balance of the 100 overs not used by the side batting first. Any incomplete over in the first innings being counted as if a completed over.
3. The side batting first is expected to complete its innings within 3 hours playing time. In the event of the side batting first receiving less than 53 overs in the time allotted, it shall have the option of batting on to receive some or all of the 53 overs allowed (but during this extra time only the batting side shall be entitled to pick up further bonus points). On the closure of the first innings the side batting first shall have the option of either using the balance of the 100 overs when fielding, or the number of overs representing 6 overs less than the number of overs bowled by the fielding side at the end of the allotted time of 3 hours. The side batting first must communicate its decision to the umpires during the interval between the innings.

All time lost due to drinks intervals (which must have been agreed before the toss for innings) or late starting of the match, or late resumption after any interval, or any other unavoidable cause including injury to a player, shall be aggregated and taken into consideration in calculating the time allowed for completion of an innings.

Divisions 11-14 
Matches will normally comprise 90 overs. The side batting first shall receive not more than 47 overs. Subject to rule (c) the side batting second shall receive the balance of the 90 overs not used by the side batting first. Any incomplete over in the first innings being counted as if a completed over. The side batting first is expected to complete its innings within 2 hours 40 minutes playing time. In the event of the side batting first receiving less than 47 overs in the time allotted, it shall have the option of batting on to receive some or all of the 47 overs allowed (but during this extra time only the batting side shall be entitled to pick up further bonus points). On the closure of the first innings the side batting first shall have the option of either using the balance of the 90 overs when fielding, or the number of overs representing 4 overs less than the number of overs bowled by the fielding side at the end of the allotted time of 2 hours 40 minutes. The side batting first must communicate its decision to the opposition captain during the interval between the innings.

2. Interference by weather:

1. In the event of a delayed start or any break in the first innings for bad weather, the length of the match will be reduced at a rate of two overs for each full seven minutes of play lost, with the recalculated total to be divided between the two sides such that the side batting first receives six overs (divisions 11-14: four overs) more than the side batting second (subject to the laws governing a declaration).
2. In the event of stoppages, the time available for completion of the first innings shall be reduced by half the total time lost. 
3. Any disruptions to play in the second innings shall result in one over being deducted for each full 3½ minutes lost. If there is more than one stoppage in either innings, the time lost is to be accumulated and the number of overs reduced accordingly.
4. In all completed games which are subject to interruption, the side batting first must have received a minimum of 40 overs (36 overs in divisions 11-14), subject to the laws governing a declaration, to constitute a league match.
5. Where panel umpires are appointed, in the event of any dispute between the captains over the fitness of the ground for play up to one hour before the scheduled start, the umpires shall be the sole arbiters as to whether the ground is fit for play, both before and after the toss. In divisions 1 & 2, where the fitness of the ground is in doubt more than 3½ hours before the scheduled start time, the home club will make every endeavour to obtain agreement to any proposed cancellation from at least one of the appointed umpires or a nominated local deputy.
6. The home side is the ground authority for all games and before the match is the sole arbiter of whether or not the ground is fit for play – except where they are subject to the requirements of rule 2(v)

For the avoidance of doubt: A game should be considered abandoned if the start is delayed by greater than 97 minutes (84 minutes in divisions 11-14).

Note: If the tea interval takes place during a stoppage for bad weather in the first innings, 20 minutes will be deducted from the total time lost and the total number of overs to be bowled and the time limits will be recalculated accordingly. If the change of innings takes place during a stoppage for bad weather, no additional adjustments shall be made to the number of overs to be received by the team batting second after any recalculation of the number of overs to be received.

3. Points system

The league tables will be produced on an aggregate points basis. Points will be awarded as follows:

Win	-	30 points
Draw or Loss	-	Bonus points
Tie	-	20 points (when scores finish level with the team batting second ‘all out’, i.e. has completed its innings)
Cancelled and abandoned	-	10 points or bonus points, whichever is the greater

Note: A minimum of 40 overs (36 overs in divisions 11-14) must be bowled in the first innings (unless the innings is completed or subject to a declaration) to constitute a league match, after which any abandoned game is deemed a draw, resulting in each side receiving 10 points or bonus points, whichever is the greater. However, if the abandonment comes after 26 overs have been bowled in the second innings, only bonus points earned up to the time of abandonment shall be awarded.

Batting bonus points (Batting bonus points are doubled for side batting first. Also for the side batting second having lost the toss.)
140 runs - 1 point; 155 runs - 2 points;170 runs - 3 points; 185 runs - 4 points; 200 runs - 5 points

In divisions 11-14, batting bonus points start at 110 runs (instead of 140).
110 runs - 1 point; 125 runs - 2 points; 140 runs - 3 points; 155 runs - 4 points; 170 runs - 5 points

Bowling bonus points
Bowling first - having won the toss, 0-5 wkts - 0 points, then 1 point per wicket thereafter
Bowling first - having lost the toss, 1 point per wicket taken.
Bowling second - 1 point per wicket taken.

If any side fails to fulfil a fixture, the opposing team shall be awarded the full 30 points available for that fixture. Any side which fails to fulfil a fixture shall additionally be deducted 10 points from its points total in the division in which it plays.

4. Number of players

Both teams are required to field a minimum of 8 players during both innings to constitute a league match. Where both captains agree, a match may start, even though the batting side has less than 8 players at the ground, providing the missing players, whose names must be on the team sheet, are expected to arrive. Any team unable to field a minimum of 8 players shall be deemed not to have fulfilled a fixture. Any delay to the start of the match arising from this rule shall result in a reduction of overs calculated in the same way as match rule 2(i) while also subject to the minimum overs requirement of rule 2(iv)

5. Fast bowling directive

The ECB fast bowling directive (published in the league handbook) shall apply to all league games and failure to comply shall be construed as playing an ineligible player and will be dealt with accordingly under the powers given to the league under rule 12 of the Constitution.

6. Penalty runs

Penalty runs, as prescribed in rule 42 of "The Laws of Cricket", shall only be awarded in matches in divisions 1 & 2. Note: This also covers penalty runs awarded under Laws 2.6 and 18.5; but not Law 41.2 and 41.3 which shall apply in all divisions.

7. Cricket balls

The make and specification of cricket balls to be used in all league matches will be determined by the Executive Committee and no other ball shall be used (currently the superior quality ball in divisions 1-3). A new ball shall be used from the start of the first innings in all matches and from the start of the second innings in divisions 1 & 2. In division 3 and below, the side bowling in the second innings shall have the option of using a new ball at the start of the innings or any time up to the delivery of the first ball of the last 20 overs.

In a rain affected match, if the teams are off the field at the start of the last 20 overs and the new ball has not been taken before the interruption to play when the umpires call ‘time’, it may not subsequently be taken and the match shall finish with the old ball.

Note: All new and spare balls to be provided by the home team

8. Umpires and Scorers

Umpires for matches in divisions 1 & 2 will be appointed from a panel by an appropriate sub-committee. In all matches in divisions 3-6 inclusive, each club will provide one umpire who ideally would have attended and passed ECBACO training courses at level 1 or 1A with the intention that qualification would become mandatory for the 2012 season. Failure to do so will result in a five point penalty, except for those clubs which have supplied more than one umpire to the league panel. Failure to do so will result in a 5 point penalty, except where the club had supplied at least one umpire more than the number of teams it has in divisions where panel umpires are provided (this includes HCPL Divisions 1 and 2 East). Failure to provide a scorer for the duration of matches in divisions 1 & 2 will result in a five point penalty

9. Covers

Covering of pitches and bowlers’ run-ups shall be allowed after play has commenced. Where partial covers only are available, bowlers’ run-ups shall be covered up to a distance not exceeding five feet in front of the popping crease.

10. Pitches

Grounds on which matches are to be played shall be listed in the handbook. Alternative grounds may be used, providing the visiting team and umpires are advised of the change before 8pm on the Thursday prior to the date of the match, and formal acknowledgement of the change obtained from an officer of the opposing club and the umpires (where appropriate). No game shall be switched to a ground (or pitch) other than the one on which the game is scheduled and/or is normally used by the home team, after 8pm on the Thursday prior to the date of the match. Exceptional circumstances may apply, if a late change of ground is approved by the League Executive Committee. Artificial pitches may be only be used in games in divisions 10-14.